Between the Tennessee River and Walden's Ridge, Hixson boasts quiet neighborhoods and bustling shopping areas.

* Geographic area: A northern suburb of Chattanooga, Hixson is encircled by North Chattanooga, Walden's Ridge, Soddy-Daisy, Lakesite and the Tennessee River.

* History: Named for Ephriam Hixson Jr., a pioneer who settled the area in 1830, this community enjoyed rapid growth soon after TVA completed the Chickamauga Dam on the Tennessee River in 1940. The first Hamilton County Courthouse was built near Dallas Bay and what is now Chester Frost Park. During the Civil War battle for Chattanooga, Union troops hid 116 pontoons in North Chickamauga Creek. On Nov. 23-24, 1863, some of Gen. Sherman's men drifted down the Tennessee River to establish a bridgehead near South Chickamauga Creek on the eve of the Battle of Missionary Ridge.

* Landmarks or geographic features: Chickamauga Lake gives much of Hixson a shoreline venue.

* Unique characteristics: Nestled among Chattanooga, the river and Walden's Ridge - the eastern face of the Cumberland Plateau - Hixson has the best of city life and wild playgrounds.

* Most famous visitor: President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Chickamauga Dam on Labor Day 1940.

* Schools: DuPont Elementary School, Big Ridge Elementary School, Falling Water Elementary School, Ganns Middle Valley School, Hixson Elementary School and McConnell Elementary School, Hixson Middle School, Loftis Middle School, Hixson High School.

* Best-kept secret: Hixson remains one of the fastest-growing areas of Chattanooga. More than 41,689 people live in this primarily residential area. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 9.49 percent.

* Fun fact: Hixson residents enjoy an environmental center at Greenway Farm, a 180-ace tract near North Chickamauga Creek.